The roof is the most important part of your house. It keeps you and your family safe from the elements and protects all of the things that make your home a home. From furniture to appliances, insulation to carpeting, everything inside your house is protected by what’s on top—your roof.
That’s why it’s so important to take care of this vital part of your home. To do that, ask every roofing contractor these seven questions before making any decisions about repairs or replacements:
1. What Materials Will Be Used on Your Roof?
The material used for the roof is a very important factor in selecting and installing the right kind of roof. There are different kinds of shingles, tiles, slate or clay, and metal panels to choose from.
You need to know what kind you want before contacting contractors. If you don’t know which type you prefer yet but have samples of each available (from other homes), bring those with you when interviewing roofing contractors.
2. Does Your Company Provide a Written Estimate?
A great contractor will provide a written estimate that outlines everything they will do and how much it will cost. But why is this important? A solid, detailed estimate will help to protect you from costs that go beyond what you agreed to pay.
3. How Much Experience Do You Have?
Make sure the roofing company has experience working with both commercial and residential properties. A company with years of experience is more likely to be able to handle even unexpected problems well.
Check out this service that has extensive experience in both fields.
4. What Are Your References Like?
Get at least three references. Call each contact and ask about their experience with the company. Did they do what they promised, on time and at the price quoted? What was their communication like?
To be a good reference, a contractor has to have done quality work in the past.
5. Will You Be Working With Other Contractors?
Typically, roofing jobs will involve other contractors who provide services like electrical or ventilation repairs and cleaning methods for mold remediation and/or insulation removal.
Ensure that whoever you hire has good relationships with these contractors and can all work together smoothly.
6. How Much Will the Job Cost?
The price quoted should include everything: materials, installation, labor, permits (if required), disposal of your old roofing material, and clean-up after completion.
Sometimes a company will try to charge extra fees for things like taking off old gutters or restoring concrete steps that are part of the process of removing shingles from around your home’s foundation. You don’t want to get stuck with any surprise costs at the end. Read all contracts carefully before signing.
7. What Is Your Warranty?
Your new roof should come with a warranty of at least 20 years — and preferably longer.
If any part of the roof fails within that time, they will repair or replace it for free. Longer warranties are always better because they protect you against possible mistakes made by the roofing team installing your roof.
When you get an estimate from a potential contractor, find out how long their warranty is before deciding who to hire. Your investment in your home is important, so be thorough when finding roofing experts.
Hire the Right Roofing Contractor
Above are the seven questions that will help you choose a good roofing contractor. Using them as a guide, keep interviewing until you find the right contractor to complete your project. Use this checklist along with any other resources available to make sure that they pass all of your tests.
We hope you found this article informative. For more interesting content, keep reading our other posts.
What will you do if there is inclement weather while you’re working on my roof?
Roofing requires good weather to complete safely and on time, so when it rains, snows, or the weather turns sour, work gets cut short. This means the roofers may have to stop midway and pick it up once the weather gets better, but there are a few issues that come up in that scenario. Ask the roofing contractor what they’ll do to secure the work, and what precautions they take in the event of inclement weather, to ensure that your roof, home interior, and belongings aren’t ruined by rain, wind, or an incomplete job.
How will you protect my driveway and the rest of my property from damage that might occur as a result of your work?
Roofers require a lot of equipment to get the job done. There will be trucks, tools, ladders, benches/tables, and dumpsters for refuse. Ask where the roofing contractor will place these things and how they’ll work to ensure that their equipment doesn’t damage your property. Will the contractor do anything to repair or remedy any damages they cause? Will they protect the gutters with stabilizers? These are important questions to ask and you’ll be grateful to know in advance before you hire a company that won’t take care around your home or landscape.
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